Queenbee
Well-Known Member
Hi there, I've started helping a friend with her mare as she is quite flighty and nervy, sensitive and box walks and previous training methods were just exacerbating this.
Anyhow, it's been going nicely, I've been using a no pressure approach, taken away all the gadgets and focused on just helping her get rid of her tension.
Now before I go any further, I had already discussed the need for a physio and saddle check etc.... But yesterday while working with her I noticed something... It could just be because she is very sensitive and as I said, quite a tense horse but I had taken her into the school and loose schooled her until she relaxed, started focusing on me and not on outside the school... I kept her moving and changing direction so she 'had' to focus on me, eventually she relaxed significantly, she had a pat and scratch and we walked into the yard... She was really calm. I popped her in her stable, gave her some hay at the front of the stable and left her to it for a couple of mins. She was so good and relaxed that another livery couldn't believe the change. Anyway, I then go into sponge her off as she was pretty hot and this is what I noticed...
I had my right hand on her shoulder and was sponging the crest of her neck (well actually brushing it with a wet body brush) every time I brushed a stroke, she had an involuntary spasm in her shoulder... Obviously this will be discussed with the professional, but I wondered if anyone had any ideas or comments about this? Stupidly I didn't check the other side for a response but I will today, but can you shed any light on this, has anyone experienced the same, I'm thinking it may be because she is just so sensitive, but also I could be all that tension... I've never come across it before.
Anyhow, it's been going nicely, I've been using a no pressure approach, taken away all the gadgets and focused on just helping her get rid of her tension.
Now before I go any further, I had already discussed the need for a physio and saddle check etc.... But yesterday while working with her I noticed something... It could just be because she is very sensitive and as I said, quite a tense horse but I had taken her into the school and loose schooled her until she relaxed, started focusing on me and not on outside the school... I kept her moving and changing direction so she 'had' to focus on me, eventually she relaxed significantly, she had a pat and scratch and we walked into the yard... She was really calm. I popped her in her stable, gave her some hay at the front of the stable and left her to it for a couple of mins. She was so good and relaxed that another livery couldn't believe the change. Anyway, I then go into sponge her off as she was pretty hot and this is what I noticed...
I had my right hand on her shoulder and was sponging the crest of her neck (well actually brushing it with a wet body brush) every time I brushed a stroke, she had an involuntary spasm in her shoulder... Obviously this will be discussed with the professional, but I wondered if anyone had any ideas or comments about this? Stupidly I didn't check the other side for a response but I will today, but can you shed any light on this, has anyone experienced the same, I'm thinking it may be because she is just so sensitive, but also I could be all that tension... I've never come across it before.